Most of us are familiar with the warm and fuzzy feel of flannel. But what is flannel, exactly? And are all flannel sheets created equally? Here’s how to choose flannel sheets for your most comfortable sleep yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is flannel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Flannel is a loosely knit fabric that can be made of wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers. It most likely originated in Scotland and Wales in the 16th century, when it was made out of brushed wool. After the Industrial Revolution, this fabric made its way to the United States, where cotton became the most popular flannel material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How flannel is produced<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Flannel gets its fuzzy feel through a process called napping. That’s when a woven sheet of fabric is passed over heavy cylinders covered with thousands of fine metal teeth that brush the fabric, pulling tiny, fine fibers from it. This creates millions of little insulating air pockets that trap heat and keep you warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flannel may be brushed on one side or both, or it can be unbrushed. Double-napped flannel (flannel that’s brushed on both sides) is considered to be of the highest quality. High-quality flannel is soft and fuzzy but not bulky. Finer flannel will be more durable and less prone to pilling than bulky flannel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike other fabrics, flannel quality isn’t judged by thread count<\/a> but by weight (grams per square meter, or GSM). The higher the GSM, the warmer and better quality the sheets. 170 GSM is considered high-quality flannel and will be quite warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The country of origin matters too. Most high-quality flannel comes from England, Germany, or Portugal. Portugal, in particular, has a long tradition of creating flannel from long-staple cotton and produces some of the softest flannel out there. German and English flannel will typically have a denser feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are quite a few benefits to sleeping on flannel sheets. Here are the top ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also some drawbacks of flannel sheets to consider, including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, flannel can be made from cotton, synthetic fibers, or a blend of the two. Less commonly it can also be made of wool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cotton<\/strong> is the most common flannel material. It’s highly breathable and absorbs moisture well (which is a must for people who tend to sweat a lot at night). Cotton flannel sheets feel soft and dry. Keep in mind that 100% cotton flannel sheets may shrink a bit after the first couple of washings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Synthetic<\/strong> flannel is made from very fine, tightly woven polyester fibers and is often called micro-flannel. The good news about micro-flannel is that it sheds less lint than cotton flannel and won’t shrink in the wash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It may also feel softer than some cotton flannel because synthetic yarn contains more tiny fibers than cotton that are raised during napping, and it maintains the fuzzy feel for longer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But synthetic flannel can’t compete with cotton in terms of breathability and moisture-wicking properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some flannel is a blend <\/strong>of cotton and polyester. These sheets will have some of the qualities of both materials: They’ll be more breathable than purely synthetic flannel but won’t shrink as much as 100% cotton flannel will. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The drawback is that these sheets will be a lot more prone to pilling. That’s because polyester tends to make the cotton fibers tougher, which creates many tiny fiber clusters (pills) that’ll remain stuck to the base fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wool <\/strong>flannel sheets are harder to find these days and often can only be made to order. If you crave the feel of wool, it’ll be easier to achieve that by getting a wool flannel blanket or a wool-based mattress pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When looking for the best flannel sheets, here are the top factors to keep in mind during the shopping process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flannel sheets can be made from different materials, including cotton, wool, and polyester. Cotton is the most common flannel sheet material and is soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flannel sheets made from polyester, meanwhile, are wrinkle- and stain-resistant\u2014but they won’t be as breathable. Cotton\/polyester blends offer a nice mix between cotton and polyester flannel sheets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wool flannel sheets, on the other hand, are warm and soft\u2014but they’re harder to find. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flannel quality is judged by weight (GSM). The higher the GSM, the higher the quality\u2014and the warmer the sheets. To choose the best flannel sheets, look for 170 GSM or higher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flannel sheets with 170 GSM or higher will be heavier and warmer, while flannel sheets with a lower GSM will be more lightweight and breathable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flannel is known for its soft and fuzzy feel. This feeling is a result of a process called napping, which involves brushing the fabric after it’s woven. Flannel can be napped on one side or both sides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Double-napped flannel, which is brushed on both sides, is incredibly soft and considered the highest quality flannel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flannel sheets are quite warm, but you can ensure breathability by choosing ones made from long-staple fibers. These allow for more airflow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The type of material you choose can determine breathability too. Cotton and wool are both breathable, while polyester and other synthetic fibers aren’t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flannel sheets come in a variety of colors and patterns to suit your bedroom style. Choose from neutral solid hues to quintessentially flannel plaid patterns and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, flannel sheets are pretty durable, so you won’t have to worry too much about wear and tear. Just keep in mind that due to the napping process, flannel can be more prone to pilling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Expect to spend upwards of $200 on high-quality 100% cotton flannel sheets, depending on the size<\/a>. Synthetic and blend flannel will typically be less expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when washing flannel sheets. Wool flannel is usually dry clean only. Cotton and synthetic flannel should be washed with cold or warm water on a gentle cycle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t use fabric softener, as this will actually stiffen the fabric and reduce the softness of the sheets over time. Air dry if you can, or put the sheets in the dryer at a low temperature. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe pros and cons of flannel sheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What types of flannel sheets are available? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cotton <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Microfiber <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cotton\/polyester blend<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to choose flannel sheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Material<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Weight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Feel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Breathability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Style<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Durability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Price<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Maintenance <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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